Automation Systems Engineer

Sterling St James LLC; Brown Deer (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day 1 benefits

Healthcare coverage starting Day 1

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Brown Deer, WI is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to lead PLC/HMI/SCADA programming on high‑speed continuous processes. This direct‑hire role offers Day 1 benefits, flexible start times, and a stable work environment with a green‑tech manufacturer.

You will work with Allen‑Bradley Studio 5000, RSLogix, and Siemens TIA Portal to optimize SCADA, drive systems, and capital equipment, supporting 480V electrical schematics and safety standards.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of dedicated automation controls experience in continuous manufacturing.
• 3+ years writing/diagnosing Allen‑Bradley and Siemens logic.
• 3+ years tracing electrical schematics up to 480V.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot complex control networks and high‑speed drive systems to optimize uptime.
• Perform PLC/HMI optimization using AB Studio 5000/RSLogix and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Enhance SCADA and network systems for real‑time data and predictive maintenance.
• Lead system upgrades and capital asset deployments with cross‑functional teams.
• Trace schematics and resolve intermittent communication or hardware issues.

Skills

Automation experience

PLC/HMI programming

SCADA systems

Electrical schematics tracing

Industrial networking

Education

Associate degree in Electro‑Mechanical Technology

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/RSLogix

Siemens TIA Portal

SCADA software

Job description

Automation & Controls Engineer – PLCs, HMIs & SCADA

From $40.00/hr + “Day 1” Benefits Brown Deer, WI Area Flexible 1st Shift Full-Time / Direct Hire

• Compensation & Day 1 Benefits: Baseline pay starting at $40.00+/hr scaling directly with controls depth, premium overtime eligibility, and immediate healthcare coverage starting on Day 1.
• Flexible Day Schedule: Exclusive 1st Shift with flexible morning start windows (7:00 AM or 9:00 AM), paired with a shared, balanced on-call rotation for facility support.
• Company Profile & Stability: Direct-hire seat with a premier, green-tech manufacturer in the Brown Deer area with a 40-year record of zero layoffs—producing eco-friendly systems driving explosive market demand.
• Core Technical Scope: PLC/HMI programming (Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 & Siemens TIA Portal), SCADA platform optimization, continuous-motion automation, VFDs, servos, and capital equipment integration.
• Strict Requirements: U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency (Green Card); 3+ years writing/diagnosing Allen-Bradley and Siemens logic; 3+ years tracing electrical schematics up to 480V.

If you are an automation professional seeking to step away from volatile contract work, endless travel, or grueling night shifts, this direct-hire controls position offers long‑term stability in a booming industry. Our client is an established green‑tech manufacturer in the Brown Deer, WI area with a 40‑year history of zero layoffs. They produce sustainable systems that cut pollution and fuel costs, driving record market demand. In this high‑growth role, you will lead PLC programming, system integration, HMI development, and SCADA platform optimization across high‑speed, continuous automated processing lines. Enjoy flexible morning start times, zero corporate politics, and full benefits starting on Day 1.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Provide High‑Level Floor Support: Troubleshoot complex electronic control networks, high‑speed drive systems, and continuous processing machinery to optimize facility uptime.
• Execute PLC & HMI Optimization: Perform precise PLC programming edits, logic upgrades, and HMI modifications using Allen‑Bradley (Studio 5000 / RSLogix) and Siemens (TIA Portal) environments.
• Enhance SCADA & Network Systems: Implement and refine SCADA systems to boost real‑time data acquisition, machine tracking, and predictive maintenance capabilities.
• Engineer System Upgrades: Lead continuous improvement projects and redesign control architectures using root‑cause analysis on new or retrofitted equipment.
• Support Capital Installs: Partner with cross‑functional engineering teams during capital asset deployments, overseeing controls wiring, network integration, and machine positioning.
• Trace Complex Schematics: Interpret multi‑page electrical schematics, network topology diagrams, and blueprints up to 480V to resolve intermittent communication or hardware issues.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• Dedicated Automation Experience: 5+ years of dedicated experience in automation controls, systems engineering, or electro‑mechanical maintenance within continuous manufacturing environments.
• Software Mastery: 3+ years writing, modifying, and debugging logic in Allen‑Bradley and Siemens PLC/HMI platforms.
• Drives & Fluid Power Depth: 3+ years managing AC/DC drives, VFDs, servo controls, pneumatics, and high‑pressure hydraulic circuits.
• Electrical & Network Literacy: Practical experience tracing complex schematics, industrial network topologies, and wiring diagrams up to 480V.
• Location & Authorization: U.S. Citizenship or Green Card holder residing within a comfortable daily commuting distance of the Brown Deer / Northern Milwaukee County, WI area.

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Educational Background: Associate degree in Electro‑Mechanical Technology, Automation, Robotics, or a related technical discipline.
• Continuous Processing Background: Hands‑on experience in high‑speed processing (paper converting, printing, packaging, web processing, or continuous material handling).
• Mechanical & Rigging Literacy: Practical capability using power tools, forklifts, and overhead rigging equipment during equipment deployment.